Ida festival: crafts to concerts

The 31st annual festival will take place Friday through Sun­day in downtown Ida and fea­tures concerts, crafts, children’s activities, and, of course, the light parade.

The festival was founded by the Ida Civic Club and is spon­sored by dozens of businesses and service organizations.

FRIDAY

Activities on Friday feature lawn mower races and the opening of the Ida Christmas Mall, both at 6 p. m.; a perfor­mance by Anita’s Dance Com­pany of Wisconsin at 7: 30, and the Ida High School Class of 2013 benefit auction at 8:20.

The Commemorative Con­cert will take place at 7 p. m. featuring the Saline Fiddlers, who will perform a variety of music.

A public reception will follow the concert.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus will kick off the events when the Ida Township Volunteer Fire De­partment escorts the pair on a tour through downtown at 8:45 a.m.

Monroe County Commis­sioner Henry Lievens will be Santa’s helper and Betzi Lievens will portray Mrs. Claus.

The day features an indoor craft and vendors show fea­turing more than 230 partici­pants, which will take place at Ida High School and Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Two concerts have been scheduled for Saturday featur­ing jazz and pop artist Taylor Taylor at 4 p. m. and country singer Keith Anderson taking the stage at 5:15 Ms. Taylor will host a meet­and- greet after her perfor­mance.

The outdoor concerts are free productions held in the parking lot.

“ The La- Z- Boy Christmas in Ida Concert Series continues to bring top national recording artists in a festive professional concert setting that brings smiles to our festival visitors.” said Dale W. Zorn, the festival’s executive director.

In the downtown area, the Ida Christmas Mall will feature craft and new merchandise vendors.

The Ida Civic Club will hold a canned food drive to benefit a Monroe County food closet. Donations can be dropped off at St. Joseph Catholic Church during Friday’s concert and at both craft show locations.

The Hearts and Hooves 4- H Club is sponsoring a coat drive for those in need in Monroe County. Coats can be dropped off at the Ida High School Craft and Vendor Show and Ida Christmas Mall.

The exhibition, an introduc­tion to the world of veterinary medicine is divided into five sections focusing on animals in the home, on the farm, at the zoo, in the wild and at the vet­erinary clinic. Visitors are offered a variety of ways to learn through infor­mative displays, dynamic vid­eos and interactive experiences Mrs. Claus will read holiday stories at 10: 30 a. m. the Ida Branch Library.

The annual Children’s Lunch with Santa will be held at 11:45 and 12: 45 a. m. at the St. Jo­seph Catholic Church Hall. The free lunch includes gifts for all children attending. Tickets are available at the Ida library.

Santa’s Zoo will be located at Ida Farmers Co- Op and fea­tures a variety of animals.

At 2:15 p. m., the Holiday Hounds on Parade will feature dogs dressed up for the holi­days.

The Light Up the Night Fun Run to benefit the Ida High School track project will take place at 6:15 p.m.

The Family Christmas Fire­works Show will take place at 6:30 p.m. before the start of the lights parade.

The Parade of Lights will be­gin at 7 p. m. featuring illumi­nated high school bands, floats, fire trucks and more.

A variety of vendors will be on hand throughout the festival.

SUNDAY

On Sunday, the festival ends with a Christmas Collage Con­cert featuring the Ida High School bands at 2 p. m. at the high school.

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